2021 Class of Fellows: Economic Empowerment
Ford’s Thirty Under 30 is a yearlong course in leadership and civic engagement that matches nonprofits with Ford employees under age 30 in the U.S. and Canada.
Top row (L-R): Alexandra Abernethy, Office of General Counsel; Moncef El Amrani, Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford of Canada; Ansley Barnard, Product Development; Allison Dabkowski, Purchasing; Stefanie Dunham, Ford Motor Company Fund; Michael Fluegemann, Product Development; Mitchell Ford, Global Data, Insights and Analytics; Mikal Frazier, Ford Motor Credit Company Middle row (L-R): Marissa Graziano, Manufacturing; Sara Gray, Purchasing; Michael Guiracocha, Purchasing; Mark Homer, Human Resources & Corporate Services; Matthew Leddy, Ford Motor Credit Company; Ashley Levi, Purchasing; Jordano Liburdi, Manufacturing, Ford of Canada; Nichole Mackey, Marketing, Sales and Service; Justin Martins, Product Development, Ford of Canada Bottom row (L-R): Alex Miller, Ford Customer Service; Alex Perkins, Research and Advanced Engineering; Tyler Ravsten, Corporate Strategy; Chelsey Revita, Product Development; Amberdeep Samra, Research and Advanced Engineering; Samantha Scott, Human Resources & Corporate Services; Michael Weller, Marketing, Sales and Service; Ashley Williams, Ford Motor Credit Company
Who We Work With
Accounting Aid Society
Detroit, Mich. — For more than 50 years, Accounting Aid Society has provided tax assistance and other services to promote the economic self-sufficiency of low to middle-income families, seniors and others in need through programs, volunteerism and partnerships.
Proposed solution — The creation of a central, calendar-based reservation system with two categories of clients. By coding clients and prospective clients by different needs, the system can better assist both groups with scheduling appointments that fit their schedules.
Fellows — Alexandra Abernethy, Mikal Frazier, Mark Homer, Tyler Ravsten, Ashley Williams
Eastern Market
Detroit, Mich. — Eastern Market Partnership is a nonprofit organization that provides management and vision to shepherd Eastern Market’s rich history to nourish a healthier, wealthier and happier Detroit.
Proposed solution — The Eastern Market team identified two key user groups: customers and vendors. Customers have the need to shop local with convenience to better align their shopping habits with their core values and vendors require a reliable and predictable reach to customers in order to generate a stable income. We have designed a marketplace app that offers both customers and vendors an all-encompassing virtual Eastern Market experience.
Fellows — Nikhil Andrews*, Nichole Mackey, Alex Perkins, Amber Samra, Tahreem Zahid*
Focus: HOPE
Detroit, Mich. — In 1967 Focus: HOPE co-founders Father William T. Cunningham and Eleanor M. Josaitis pledged to unite a community that was sharply divided on racial and economic lines. Since then, the organization continues to recognize the beauty of every person and aims to build a community where all people may live in freedom, harmony trust and affection.
Proposed solution — A hybrid program structure that focuses on key strengths of the organization such as hands-on learning and the newly developed online curriculum. The solution provides flexibility for students & staff to lower dropout rates and increase program completion numbers.
Fellows — Allison Dabkowski, Stefanie Dunham, Ashley Levi, Alex Miller, Gretchen Sauer*, Michael Weller
Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex
Windsor, Ontario, Canada — An affiliate of Habitat for Humanity Canada, the organization works with corporate, individual and faith-based donors and volunteers to give families a hand up. The organization’s mission is to mobilize volunteers and community partners to build affordable housing and promote home ownership to break the cycle of poverty.
Proposed solution — An engagement plan for Habitat for Humanity’s Ford City project in Windsor.
Fellows — Moncef El Amrani, Erin Hillier*, Jordano Liburdi, Justin Martins, Serena Myles*
SER Metro
Detroit, Mich. — Through a series of education, job training and job placement programs, along with youth development and education initiatives, SER Metro provides Detroit residents with the skills, resources and opportunities they need to achieve self-sufficiency.
Proposed solution — The creation of SER Café, a mobile shop that engages with different Detroit neighborhoods on a regular basis. The SER Café will serve as a hub for socialization and student entrepreneurial skill development.
Fellows — Ansley Barnard, Michael Fluegemann, Sara Gray, Marissa Graziano, Michael Guiracocha
Wayne Metro Community Action Agency
Detroit, Mich. — Wayne Metro empowers people and communities to be strong, healthy and thriving. Guided by a belief that no one should live in poverty, the organization provides over 60 programs in the areas of quality housing, family stability and economic opportunities.
Proposed solution — The proposed solution creates a concise and repeatable way to measure self-sufficiency over time. It addresses the Wayne Metro Innovation Lab’s shift to a whole family/2-generational approach to workforce development services.
Fellows — Fatima Abdullah*, Mitchell Ford, Matt Leddy, Chelsey Revita, Samantha Scott
*Not able to complete the full program.